Sudan should go faster in election preparations – Carter Center
August 20, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The US based Carter Center today warned that Sudanese government should accelerate preparations and amend laws hindering civil liberties in order to hold as scheduled the elections in April 2010.
The Carter Center began activities in Sudan in February 2008 and continues to assess the electoral process in Sudan based on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Interim National Constitution, National Elections Act, and international obligations for democratic elections.
In a report released today the center said “serious concerns about slippage in the overall electoral calendar; delays in key operational, policy, and budgetary decisions; continued restrictions on civil liberties; and the lack of adequate reform legislation needed to fully protect the fundamental freedoms of Sudanese citizens.”
Carter Center hailed positive steps in Sudan’s electoral process however it stressed that electoral calendar of April 2010will only be viable if the Sudanese authorities take immediate action to avoid further delay.
Sudanese during the first fair and free elections next year should elect the president of the republic, southern Sudan president and state governors. Also they have to cast their vote in the same time to elect the legislators of the federal parliament, southern Sudan and states assemblies.
The complexity of the elections besides the lack of money, make it difficult to run the popular consultations in good conditions particularly with the timing of the elections the weather could complicate the process.
In order to ensure they become fully operational, the report asked the UN agencies particularly the UNDP to move swiftly and streamline procedures to secure the release of funds and procurement of goods. Also it urged the electoral body to make available all necessary resources to the state elections committees and SSEHC so that preparations are not further impeded.
Further the Center underlined the adopted press law and criminal procedures act contain insufficient guarantees for the protection of fundamental freedoms.
The report showed concerned over the difference of the two peace partners about the fifth census results. It further called on the two parties to consider “voter registration data could be used to enable adjustment of constituency boundaries and apportionment, where warranted.”
It also urged national electoral body should take all steps to ensure the effective geographic political representation of the Abyei Area.
On Darfur, the Center asked that all relevant parties take steps to end the conflict in Darfur without delay. Also, it urged the government to “ease the state of emergency and lift the restrictions on civil liberties that persist across the region and to allow for an environment where political parties can freely organize, recruit, and campaign.”
(ST)